Housecleaning
IDOLS AND IDOLATRY
We received the following message concerning a picture of "Jesus". In two different churches that had picture of supposedly Jesus Christ. These pictures were given out free at PROMISE KEEPER meetings. The image is a white hooded Jesus. However as I looked at it from the back of the church, the face turned into a skeleton! I walked closer and could see the subliminal painting that was lightly covering the face.
Then I noticed a tiny small light at the top of the hood. What the subliminal did was to turn this Christ image into the grand reaper! I pointed this out to the pastor. He took the thing off the wall. Then he asked me to pray that his spiritual eyes be opened. Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. 4) You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5)
You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 6) But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments."
Smith's Bible Dictionary reads: "IDOLS - An image or anything used as an object of worship in place of the true God. Among the earliest objects of worship, regarded as symbols of deity, were meteoric stones, which the ancients believed to have been images of the gods sent down from heaven.
From these they transferred their regard to rough unhand blocks, to stone columns or pillars of wood, in which the divinity worshiped was supposed to dwell, and which were consecrated, like the sacred stone at Delphi, by being anointed with oil and crowned with wool on solemn days. Of the forms assumed by the idolatrous images we have not many traces in the Bible. Dagon, the fish-god of the Philistines, was a human figure terminating in a fish; and that the Syrian deities were represented in later times in a symbolical human shape we know for certainty.
(We have personal experience casting Dagon out.) When the process of adorning the image was completed, it was placed in a temple or shrine appointed for it. 1 Corinthians 8:10; Jeremiah 7 and 19. From these temples the idols were sometimes carried in procession on festival days. Jeremiah 4, 26. Their priests were maintained from the idol treasury, and feasted upon the meats which were appointed for the idols' use." One of the things we tell people that come for DELIVERANCE is to check their houses for objects that need to be destroyed and thrown out. Please pray and ask The Lord if you are not sure if you should destroy something and throw it out. Deuteronomy 7:26 "Neither shall you bring an abomination (an idol) into your house, lest you become an accursed thing like it; but you shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is an accursed thing".
World Book Encyclopaedia reads: "IDOL - is an image made to represent the idea of a god or supernatural being. Idols often appear in a primitive society that has developed some degree of civilization. The early peoples of Mexico and Central America had idols. They were also common among early historical civilizations such as Egypt, India, Greece, and Rome. The Old Testament forbids the making of an image of God in wood or stone. The Koran forbids the Muslims from making any kind of picture or image of their god, Allah. But idols are numerous in the Hindu and Buddhist lands of eastern and south-eastern Asia.
Idols were used in early Christianity, but many people objected even then. They disappeared almost completely in Eastern Christianity. In Western Christianity idols are usually called images. The word idol soon came to be connected with heathen worship, rather than Christianity. Idolatry means the worship of idols. Probably no people worship the idols which are called fetishes. People use them as images to remind them of their gods. In most cases, prayers and offerings are made through idols rather than to them.
ICON or EIKON, is a religious picture, usually painted on a flat surface such as wood or ivory. Icons in the Greek Orthodox churches are the pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints. Before the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, icons were placed in the churches and taken with armies into battle. The pictures could be reverenced highly, but the only image which could be adored was that of Christ (NOTE FROM END-TIME DELIVERANCE MINISTRY: Is it OK with God to have pictures of JESUS?
We believe that you should NOT have any, and that it could be a form of idolatry. Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.") ICONOCLAST, is a person who attacks long-established beliefs. The word comes from two Greek words, eikon and klastes, which mean image and a breaker. In the days of the early Christian Church the name was given those people who were against the worship of images.
There had long been a dispute dividing the Church, especially in the East, about images of Christ and the saints in churches. Emperor Leo III in 726 issued an order forbidding images and incense. Many images were destroyed, and the Church was divided into opposite groups. The iconoclasts were against the presence of images in churches." Smith's Bible Dictionary reads:
"IDOLATRY - Strictly speaking, denotes the worship of deity in a visible form, whether the images to which homage is paid are symbolical representations of the true God or of the false divinities which have been made the objects of worship in his stead. I. History of idolatry among the Jews. The first undoubted allusion to idolatry or idolatrous customs in the Bible is in the account of Rachel's stealing her father's seraphim. Gen. 31:19. During their long residence in Egypt the Israelites defiled themselves with the idols of the land, and it was long before the taint was removed. Joshua 24:14; Ezekiel 20:7.
In the wilderness they clamoured for some visible shape in which they might worship the God who had brought them out of Egypt, Exodus 32, until Aaron made the calf, the embodiment of Apis and emblem of the productive power of nature. During the lives of Joshua and the elders who outlived him they kept true to their allegiance; but the generation following, who knew not Jehovah nor the works He had done for Israel, swerved from the plain path of their fathers, and were caught in the toils of the foreigner. Judges 2.
From this time forth their history becomes little more than a chronicle of the inevitable sequence of offence and punishment. Judges 2:12, 14. By turns each conquering nation strove to establish the worship of its national god. In later times the practice of secret idolatry was carried to greater lengths. Images were set up on the corn-floors, in the wine-vats, and behind the doors of private houses, Isaiah 57:8; Hosea 9:1,2; and to check this tendency the statute in Deuteronomy 27:15 was originally promulgated. Under Samuel's administration idolatry was publicly renounced, 1 Sam. 7:3-6; but in the reign of Solomon all this was forgotten, even Solomon's own heart being turned after other gods. I Kings 11:14. Rehoboam perpetuated the worst features of Solomon's idolatry, I Kings 14:22-24, erected golden calves at Bethel and at Dan, and by this crafty state policy severed forever the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. I Kings 12:26-33.
The successors of Jeroboam followed in his steps, till Ahab. The conquest of the ten tribes by Shalmaneser was for them the last scene of the drama of abominations which had been enacted uninterruptedly for upwards of 250 years. Under Hezekiah a great reform was inaugurated, that was not confined to Judah and Benjamin, but spread throughout Ephraim and Manasseh, 2 Chron. 31:1, and to all external appearance idolatry was extirpated. But the reform extended little below the surface. Isaiah 29:13.
With the death of Josiah ended the last effort to revive among the people a purer ritual, if not a purer faith. The lamp of David, which had long shed but a struggling ray, flickered for a while and then went out in the darkness of Babylonian captivity. Though the conquests of Alexander caused Greek influence to be felt, yet after the captivity a better condition of things prevailed, and the Jews never again fell into idolatry. The erection of synagogues has been assigned as a reason for the comparative purity of the Jewish worship after the captivity, while another cause has been discovered in the hatred for images acquired by the Jews in their intercourse with the Persians.
II. Objects of idolatry. The sun and moon were early selected as outward symbols of all-pervading power, and the worship of the heavenly bodies was not only the most ancient but the most prevalent system of idolatry. Taking its rise in the plains of Chaldea, it spread through Egypt, Greece, Scythia, and even Mexico and Ceylon. Deuteronomy 4:10; 17:3; Job 31:20-28.
In the later times of the monarchy, the planets or the zodiacal signs received, next to the sun and moon, their share of popular adoration. 2 Kings 23:5. Beast worship, as exemplified in the calves of Jeroboam, has already been alluded to. Of pure hero worship among the Semitic races we find no trace. The singular reverence with which trees have been honoured is not without example is the history of the Hebrews.
The terebinth (oak) at Mamre, beneath which Abraham built an altar, Genesis 12:7; 13:18, and the memorial grove planted by him at Beersheba, Genesis 21:33, were intimately connected with patriarchal worship. Mountains and high places were chosen spots for offering sacrifice and incense to idols, I Kings 11:7; 14:23; and the retirement of gardens and the thick shade of woods offered great attractions to their worshipers. 2 Kings 16:4; Isaiah 1:29; Hosea 4:13. The host of heaven was worshiped on the house-top. 2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:3; 32:29; Zephaniah 1:5. (The modern objects of idolatry are less gross than the ancient, but are none the less idols.)
Whatever of wealth or honour or pleasure is loved and sought before God and righteousness becomes an object of idolatry. III. Punishment of idolatry. Idolatry to an Israelite was a state offence, I Samuel 15:23, a political crime of the greatest character, high treason against the majesty of his king. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code.
The individual offender was devoted to destruction, Exodus 22:20; his nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment, Deuteronomy 13:2-10, but their hands were to strike the first blow, when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned. Deuteronomy 17:2-5. To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity. Deuteronomy 13:6-10. IV. Attractions of idolatry. Many have wondered why the Israelites were so easily led away from the true God, into the worship of idols. (1) Visible, outward signs, with show, pageants, parades, have an attraction to the natural heart, which often fails to perceive the unseen spiritual realities.
(2) But the greatest attraction seems to have been in licentious revelries and obscene orgies with which the worship of the Oriental idols was observed. This worship, appealing to every sensual passion, joined with the attractions of wealth and fashion and luxury, naturally was a great temptation to a simple, restrained, agricultural people, whose worship and laws demanded the greatest purity of heart and of life." "Housecleaning" is what we call getting rid of anything in your home that may cause you demonic problems. Look through your home as you pray and the Lord will let you know what items need to be destroyed that have become an idol to you. Any type of collection - dolls (roots come from voodoo), owls and frogs (abominations to the Lord, as stated in the Bible), unicorns (lust and financial problems), etc. You may have only one or two of these items, but they are just as deadly as a collection.
We have read and heard countless testimonies of what these items can do. Dolls levitate, walk and talk; owls caused cancer and when destroyed the person was totally healed. Please pray and seek the Lord regarding which items you must destroy. With pictures of movie stars you form a soul tie. One example is of a woman who came to us for DELIVERANCE from men and drugs. As I was praying for her the Lord impressed that the picture of Marilyn Monroe that was hanging above her bed was part of the problem. Marilyn Monroe had 0.021 trouble with men and drugs and she died because of it. Every time the Israelites started worshiping idols they came into captivity and bondage. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel when some of the silver and gold that was supposed to be destroyed was taken by Achan and hidden in his tent. Verse 25 of Joshua Chapter 7 reads: "And Joshua said, Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will trouble you this day. And all Israel stoned him and those with him with stones, and afterward burned their bodies with fire." 26) ...Then the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. In Genesis 31 Rachel stole her father's idols and died because of it.
These are just two incidents. This is not to bring fear upon you, but to let you know what our Lord thinks about idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and seraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king."
You do not have to worship any item for it to be idolatry. Just having these things in your home give demons legal right to be in your home. Deuteronomy 7:25 "The graven images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26) Neither shall you bring an abomination (an idol) into your house, lest you become an accursed thing like it; but you shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is an accursed thing."
Do lots of research on items that you are not sure about. You may find that their origin is rooted in idolatry.
SOME OBJECTS TO DESTROY: (See Lev. 11:13-21 and Deut. 14:7-19) Some accursed objects are: owls, frogs, unicorns, dolphins, dragons, horseshoes; items from other countries such as Africa, China, Japan; American Indian artefacts, carvings, pictures, Buddha statutes. Dolls and stuffed animals - dolls originated in voodoo. Paisley pattern on anything. Nike is a Greek god, according to the dictionary.
Collections, Pictures of movie stars, some items passed down from ancestors, Shamrocks, Any kind of good luck charm, Statues, Oriental objects, African items, Indian items, American Indian items, Any items that are used in witchcraft, The Book of Mormon, satanic bible, Books on other religions, Rock and roll music, etc. In a little booklet by Mitsi Burton called
IDOLS AND IMAGES (The Second Commandment)
"You would do well to read the old classic, THE TWO BABYLONS by HISLOP. On page 102, is a picture of a saucy little GOOSE. There is an ornament around his neck and a little cupid is riding it. Hislop identifies it, not only as a Babylonian god, but also as the Egyptian Seb and the Indian brahmany goose. Today those attractive little ceramic geese are sold for home decorations. They are everywhere, on cookie jars, kitchen towels, etc." -- usually with a blue ribbon around the neck. As stated above, pray and ask the Lord what you need to destroy. The word of God says that he who seeks shall find.
HOUSE DELIVERANCE: After these things have been destroyed then break curses over you and your family and cast the demons out of your house; also anoint your house.
PERSONAL DELIVERANCE: Confess, repent and ask forgiveness for the iniquity of idolatry for you, your ancestors, spouse, former spouses, former sex partners and their ancestors. Break the curses and cast OUT demons (of yourself) having to do with idolatry.
BURN OR DESTROY IT In the Book of Acts, Chapter 19 is the story about the seven sons of Sceva. After one of the demons beat them up, we find in verse 17, "This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and alarm and terror fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord JESUS was extolled and magnified. 18/ Many also of those who were now Believers came making full confession and thoroughly exposing their (former deceptive and evil) practices. 19/ And many of those who had practiced curious, magical arts collected their books and (throwing them, book after book, on the pile) BURNED THEM in the sight of everybody...." This is the scripture used for "book burnings" "record burnings", etc.
Note they BURNED the books. We're talking New Testament here. Why didn't they just bind up or cast out the demons in these books? Well, some of you have artefacts from Africa, India, etc., where these artefacts are offered up to their gods, many pray demons into these artefacts, and then they sell them. I have had people tell me that they bound up the demons or cast them out of the artefacts. Maybe that worked, and maybe it didn't. Maybe the artefacts should be burned. Seek the Lord on this matter. Here at the DELIVERANCE MINISTRY, we take to the opinion to be safe rather than sorry.
I've heard many testimonies of severe problems because of such artefacts (including dolls, rock and roll albums, jewellery, etc.) We also recommend destroying books and tapes from any ministry that is teaching false doctrine, in particular, that "Christians cannot have demons". We have heard that anything that becomes a fad has probably got a demonic background - angel statues, for instance - started by the new agers. Rainbows - started by the new agers.
FROGS - In our local paper on November 20, 1998, it said, "Frogs' time has come - The frog is chirping its way into our pads in the form of Christmas ornaments, wine corks, CDs and sink stoppers. The latest amphibian landing: New World Frog Clock, a 13-inch blue wall model featuring frogs at every hour and a fly on the second hand." It croaks through the hours with sounds of many different frogs. See how the frog has become another fad.
AUTOGRAPHS As I watch news programs about a famous author or person being available to sign books, etc., you see long lines of people lined up for this once in a lifetime event. At the Jackson, Mississippi zoo in March, a Dallas Cowboys' quarterback was there to sign autographs. 5,200 people showed up, and it was the biggest turnout in zoo history for a celebrity. Have you done this? Do you still have something that you treasure with an autograph? What would you feel if someone stole it or it got destroyed? You may need some DELIVERANCE in this area. It could be an idol.
SUNDIAL - Found this advertisement - "Sundial is a symbol of eternal life, spirit of eternal love." Maybe you need to get rid of yours, and dial the SON. FLAMINGO (bird) - Got this from Public TV - According to African myth, the Phoenix (Egyptian god) was on fire in a volcano fire. When the fire died down, in the ashes, was the Flamingo. Flamingo's are called "The Fire Bird". Phoenicians believed Flamingo feathers would bring immortality. Their diet causes their red colour.
Regarding witchcraft: witchcraft is abounding. We see the mixture everywhere. The clothing manufacturers even put it into our clothes. The leviathan alligator is the symbol of high pride. It portrays the idea of "if you can afford that, then you are really dressed." There are a lot of wild patterns in the clothing which are symbolic of confusion.
There are many satanic symbols hidden in clothing such as the yen and the yang, the baphomet, or goat's head, which is the symbol of the church of satan. Many labels are expressions of defeat or pride. Everyone puts their names on the clothing so man, by wearing these name brands, can feel built up and mighty in his own stature. The world wants to make a statement that they have money and position. This deception is a lie from satan. He is trying to make people think they are something they are not. The ties that men wear - the neck represents the will, so if a man puts on a tie that has satanic symbols on it he will be in bondage in certain areas of his service to the Lord.
Remember the little foxes spoil the vine. The paisley print is a satanic symbol from India, and also has a Catholic connection. satan wants to change the identity of man which is God's love. satan wants to produce a beast incapable of love or feelings. If man wears satan's labels, then satan has the right to attack.